4th of July

This year's fourth had the requisite barbecue at noon complete "with liberty and watermelon for all" hosted by Jessica, Cary and Brittany at Ramos Park. Then Rayne and I headed down to Aptos for a beach party thrown by Krista, Kianna and Jem where we found ourselves surrounded by some of the craziest (possibly illegal) fireworks I have ever witnessed. And by witnessed I mean practically having to duck and cover while roasting s'mores around our mini beach bonfire! And even though it felt what I imagine a war zone to feel like, Krista said this year was pretty tame.


"ooh! aah!"


"Fire in the hole!"


Our small but sufficient beach bonfire.

The Arroyo Seco Gorge Adventure Tour

Hike three miles up the gorge.


Drop down to the bridge.


Then "hike" down the river!


The river goddess emerges.


Yeah, we just did that.

Fat Man's Misery

The group, minus our sacrificial photographer: James


In a canyon called "Fat Man's Misery" it's good to be skinny!

Image #28,000

Spending some quality time with little Demsey.

photo credit: Christofer Bradshaw

Teva Mountain Games - Saturday

Teva Mountain Games - Friday

Teva Mountain Games - Thursday

Demsey Marie Bradshaw

Demsey Marie Bradshaw
arrived at 12:15 PM
weighing in at 6lbs.4oz.
to proud parents Christofer and Devan
and protective older brother Radley!

The Return Trip

St. George, UT to Palo Alto, CA


Somewhere west of Kramer Junction, CA


Slightly past somewhere west of Kramer Junction, CA

Pine Creek Canyon/Angels Landing

Mystery Canyon

Oh, a canyoneering we will go, a canyoneering we will go
Heigh ho, the dairy-o, a canyoneering we will go
We'll pick up on chics and gather sticks
And then belay them so



"Hi mom!"

Road Trippin

Jumpin in and livin life at Rainbow Pools


Olmsted Point has a beautiful view and is well worth getting out of your car for half an hour but don't think Yosemite is going to "hand its photographic beauty to you on a silver platter".*

When exiting the east end of Yosemite via Tioga Pass Road be sure to treat yourself to a tasty meal at the Mobil Mart. Yes you read that right: the Mobil Mart. Just don't get sticker shock at the prices. The food here is better than any other restaurant you would spend the same amount or more for, and the view from the porch competes with any expensive restaurant with a view.


For dessert hit up the Benton Station Cafe at the end of CA 120 and grab a $3 slice of cake from the platter on the counter before turning on to US 6.

My Rant About Some Guys Yosemite Rant

I just came across some guys "Yosemite Rant" as I was looking for a particular Ansel Adams picture and felt compelled to write a response to his rant and some of the ensuing comments.

In his rant he says, "Have you been to Yosemite?...Yosemite hands you its photographic beauty on a silver platter. [Ansel] Adams' images are right there for the taking...his images of Yosemite are pretty standard fare."

His original post was in 2006 and the last comment was in 2007 so if my comment never gets around to being moderated here it is:

"Have you been to Yosemite?"
Why yes! I have been going there since I was a little kid and stood in awe of Yosemite falls framed by the apparition of a white Christmas tree made of ice on a cold winter morning. I go at least a couple times a year to either backpack in the back country, drive over Tioga on the way to Mammoth or give a friend a quick tour of the valley.

I have been a somewhat successful photographer since high school and always try to capture some essence of Yosemite in a picture every time I go. Have I ever felt like, "Yosemite hands you its photographic beauty on a silver platter."??? Maybe, possibly, once...but I had to plan a return trip through the park at just the right time of day after missing the right light the first time through, hike a ways off the beaten path and scout out a suitable location to get the clear view of Half Dome that I was trying to capture. Okay it wasn't really all that hard and yes I did feel like that particular shot was handed to me on a silver platter. But I feel like I trekked countless miles of Yosemite wilderness and waited twenty years of visiting, searching, trying and hoping for that "silver platter" to be served! And while I like my "silver platter" shot and many people admire it, I don't consider my shot to be any sort of Ansel Adams...but then I don't share your opinion that, "his images of Yosemite are pretty standard fare." And not to be rude, but I feel the three shots you have posted here are (standard fare).

Yosemite may offer it's beautiful treasures on a silver platter to those who visit the park and stand there admiring the awesome sights with their own eyes, but to capture something truly amazing about Yosemite in a picture takes more than standing there dumbfounded by something so beautiful, pointing an expensive toy at it and snapping a picture. Unless of course you are an "artist" or have some sort of "individual vision".

But then again, what do I know? After all, I actually think Ansel Adams pictures are amazing...and every time I visit Yosemite I feel like "I have [never] seen this all before" :-)

I should disclose that I am both a Yosemite fan and an Ansel Adams fan.


...should I title this - Yosemite On A Silver Platter?

Random Quoutes

Me to Jem: "What good are you?"
Jem: "I'm eye candy!"

2nd Half Marathon

Today I ran my second half marathon ever. So by my calculations I have now run full a marathon! Today's run was the third annual America River Parkway Half Marathon in Sacramento. Sarah Beth, Steph and Jodi signed up a month or so ago and invited me to join along as the token male - a role I can generally be counted on for. Angela was joining us on this trip to run the 5K along with Heather, who's house we stayed at the night before in Woodland. Props to Heather for the fabulous carbo-rich meal we were greeted with upon arrival! Props to Jodi for driving, Steph for organizing, Sarah Beth for understanding and laughing at my jokes and Angela for the pic!

San Francisco To Tiburon

My friend Katy was in town so we revisited a favorite bike ride of ours, from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge to Tiburon and back on the ferry.


This lucky guy was waiting for his turn in the three person elevator to the top of the south tower. Apparently: (A) It is possible to get a tour if you know someone...and are willing to wait two years for one of about four tours per year. (B) There are elevators inside the towers. (C) Robert will try his darndest to talk his way up an elevator for a tour.

The hand painted sign on the inside of the door says:
bridge towers footage
746 - height
500 - sidewalk to top
246 - sidewalk to bottom
4,200 - tower to tower
1 mile 8 tenth - length of bridge
2 miles - south parking lot to north parking lot


south tower


north tower


The San Francisco Bay
random facts:
400 square miles - surface area
14 feet - average depth
360 feet - depth at the Golden Gate
67,000,000 tons - annual cargo passing through the Golden Gate
1/3 - amount the bay has shrunk over the last 150 years
1/4 - original wetland, riparian, and tidal mudflat habitat remaining
40% - California’s land mass drained by the bay-delta watershed
<50% - fresh water flow coming into the bay compared to 1930


Photographic proof that Katy can ride no hands.


Another beautiful day in the Bay Area.
(l-r) Katy, Laura and Helen

note: All photos in this post taken with my GOPRO Wrist HERO camera mentioned in the previous post.

Sea Otter Classic

My buddy Rich called the other day and suggested going to the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey and snapping some pics.


We recruited Adam (lower left with camera) and Rob and had ourselves a guys photo safari complete with burrito stop on the way down at some random Mexican dance club/bar in Morgan Hill.


Found a nice little spot by the downhill event. I was able to get some action closeups with my 50mm and taste some dust when this guy landed.


After the events we wandered through the sponsor induced tent city. I commented that all I really wanted to check out was the GoPro tent to get a free t-shirt. I have several of their older cameras and love them. Some random nice guy walking next to us said he would show us where it was. Turns out he was their Managing Director. Adam bought one of their new cameras and I got my free t-shirt.

Random Quotes

Katherine to Sara, regarding fresh vegetables: I like my green beans more processed than you do. I like my green beans eaten by a cow, then I eat the cow.

Planet Granite Friction Series

Planet Granite presented their first annual Friction Series roped comp tonight at their Belmont location. My co-worker Kate had a table set up representing our Palo Alto The North Face store. I grabbed my camera after a nice trail run in Foothills Park then headed up to help represent and snap some pics. I randomly ran into a fellow photographer buddy that used to live around the corner from my family. I've run into him in some truly random places.

Image #23,000

A fun image from a fabulous photo shoot!

Last Photo Class - Round One

The teacher's pet award this week goes to Veronica for her truly original piece entitled "Gray Steel" In her artist's statement she says, "Notice the not-so-subtle use of the rule of thirds" used to frame her subject.

photo credit: Veronica Schindler
post processing: me

Special mention goes out to Mike for this sweet shot. Nice example of narrow depth of field and a fine looking strat!

photo credit: Mike Knippers

Random Quotes

me to my photo class: "So, your homework tonight involves this cool looking window of a little tanning salon down the street..."
Jessica and Veronica in unison: "Oh, Ingrid's!"

I Love My Professional Modeling Gig...

...and if it helps my photo students understand camera controls and lighting concepts, then I say all the better!






photo credit: Adam Findley
post processing: me

Random Quotes

Overheard at the local bookstore.
Man with dog: "Hey Paula, you should get a dog."
Paula: "I can't afford a dog."
Man with dog: "They're cheaper than a man."
Paula: "I can't afford one of those either."

Random Quotes

Bobby, as I handed him a guitar: "I'm no Robert...but I am because my name is Robert."